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Vitis californica

Vitis californica Benth.

California Wild Grape, California Grape, Western Wild Grape

Vitaceae (Grape Family)

Synonym(s):

USDA Symbol: vica5

USDA Native Status: L48 (N)

This is a deciduous vine to 30 ft. that, without support, makes a nice ground cover. Stems have shreddy bark and the leaves are roundish and somewhat 3-lobed. Fragrant, greenish-yellow flowers are followed by clusters of small, edible, purple grapes.

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Plant Characteristics

Duration: Perennial
Habit: Vine
Leaf Retention: Deciduous
Fruit Type: Berry
Size Notes: Climber, stems up to about 30 feet long.

Bloom Information

Bloom Color: Yellow , Green
Bloom Time: May , Jun

Distribution

USA: CA , OR
Native Distribution: CA Coast Ranges & Sierra foothills to s.w. OR
Native Habitat: Stream banks & moist canyons below 4000 ft.

Growing Conditions

Light Requirement: Sun
Soil Moisture: Moist
Soil Description: Moist soils.
Conditions Comments: This can be an aggressively rampant vine so care should be taken to select an adequate space.

Propagation

Description: Grown easily from seeds or cuttings.
Seed Collection: Strip ripe fruits from the vines. Clean seeds before storing in sealed, refrigerated containers.
Seed Treatment: No treatment necessary, though a 1 month cool-moist stratification may improve germination.
Commercially Avail: yes

Find Seed or Plants

Find seed sources for this species at the Native Seed Network.

National Wetland Indicator Status

Region:	AGCP	AK	AW	CB	EMP	GP	HI	MW	NCNE	WMVE
Status:			FACU							FACU

This information is derived from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers National Wetland Plant List, Version 3.1 (Lichvar, R.W. 2013. The National Wetland Plant List: 2013 wetland ratings. Phytoneuron 2013-49: 1-241). Click here for map of regions.

From the National Organizations Directory

According to the species list provided by Affiliate Organizations, this plant is on display at the following locations:

Santa Barbara Botanic Garden - Santa Barbara, CA
Native Seed Network - Corvallis, OR

Web Reference

Webref 30 - Calflora (2018) Calflora
Webref 38 - Flora of North America (2019) Missouri Botanical Garden, St. Louis, MO & Harvard University Herbaria, Cambridge, MA.

Additional resources

USDA: Find Vitis californica in USDA Plants
FNA: Find Vitis californica in the Flora of North America (if available)
Google: Search Google for Vitis californica

Metadata

Record Modified: 2022-10-11
Research By: TWC Staff

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